Easter is about giving hope to all

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By Pastor Steve Lane
New Beginnings Community Church

POSTED:April 2, 2012 10:30 p.m.

For many, Easter is just another holiday with fun things for the kids to do and a time to get together with family and eat some good food. For others, it is one of their few times — or maybe the only time — they will go to church or participate in other religious activities. For some, it is just another day on the calendar.The celebration of Easter started with the commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. More than 2,000 years ago, he came on the scene as a great preacher, teacher and healer, but he was much more than that. He is the son of God. After three and a half years of ministry he was arrested, beaten and crucified on a cross, and then buried in a tomb. After three days, he rose from the dead as he promised he would do. This resurrection has affected a lot of people’s lives in a positive manner. It has given us hope. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that can change people’s lives, raise them up to a new life and give them hope. Pastor and author Hal Lindsey once said, “We can live 40 days without food, three days without water and up to three minutes without air but only one second without hope.” No matter where we are in life, whatever our circumstances, whatever our problems, whatever our sins, there is nothing that can keep us from receiving this hope if we will seek it. Since Jesus was resurrected and gained victory over death, we also can look forward to a day when we will rise from the dead with new bodies without pain, sickness or decay. We can look forward to living forever in that future place God has prepared for us. Hope is a choice and it is ours.